James Carville admits why the Democrats lost and he was wrong. He didn’t listen to himself

Democratic strategist James Carville believed that Vice President Kamala Harris would win, but conceded at the time New York Times he admitted that he didn’t listen to his 1992 campaign advice: The economy, stupidity.

“We must start 2025 with that fact as our northern political star and not be distracted by anything else,” he wrote.

Carville went on to note that the US economy is “the strongest in the world,” and that GDP is “rising,” and that inflation is “down.”

“Americans don’t accept that we’re better than others or take it for granted,” he added.

Carville said that president-elect Trump succeeded by convincing middle-class and low-income voters focused on the economy to support him and that “Democrats have lost the economic story.”

For the party to win again, they must “take it back,” the strategist said, adding that “perception is everything” and that many voters see the Democratic Party as “eating lunch” for the economy, and they don’t feel the voters’ pain or care much about other issues.

The 80-year-old said Democrats must “focus entirely on the issues that affect the everyday lives of the American people.”

He pointed out that the party must stop making Trump their focus, noting that he will not be re-elected and that many Americans do not care about his accusations, “his views against democracy, or about social issues if they cannot provide for their needs.” themselves or their families.”

According to Carville, Trump won the popular vote this time by focusing on the “economic anger” of the American people.

“Our messaging machine should be more focused on opposing the economic agenda of the unpopular Republican who will outlive him,” he added. “You are more against the party, not the person or the fanaticism of his organization.”

Carville wrote that JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon was right to criticize the use of the term “ultra-MAGA.”

“I think he’s insulting a large group of people and we think,” Dimon said in November 2023.

Carville called the term “politically tone-deaf” and argued that “Criticizing other Americans or their leader as hypocrites will not win elections; focusing on their economic pain will be, as it will compete with the Republican economic agenda. “

The strategist said the most important message for Democrats will be to oppose Republican tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, calling them “very unpopular.”

“Then we attacked others. We know that Republicans will likely raise everyday costs with slapstick tariffs; they will probably try to cut the Affordable Care Act, raise premiums for the working class; and they will likely do nothing to curb prescription drug costs,” he wrote, noting that Speaker Mike Johnson has already cut health care funding for 9/11 survivors and emergency workers.

Carville suggested that Democrats advance a progressive and populist economic agenda and force Republicans to oppose it. For example, Democrats could propose raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour and push Republicans to block efforts to consolidate codes. Roe v. Wade in law.

He also pointed out that Democrats should make immigration an economic issue and force Republicans to reject bipartisan proposals to make it easier to bring high-skilled workers and those who bring business to the US.

Carville went on to note that the media landscape is changing rapidly, calling podcasts “the new newspapers and magazines.”

“Social media is the conscience of society. And influencers are the digital stewards of that conscience,” the 80-year-old said.

“For Democratic presidential hopefuls, your 2028 interview should be based on two things: 1) How realistic you are on the economy and 2) how well you deliver it on the podcast,” he added.